Blues owner Roman Abramovich is willing to back Mourinho’s judgement and make a serious bid for the Uruguayan, but will not be held to ransom.

And with Chelsea reluctant to meet Napoli’s £53million buy-out clause valuation, and Cavani again hinting that Real Madrid is his preferred option, the odds are increasingly against Mourinho getting his man.

De Laurentiis is seeking to use Chelsea’s interest, and that of Manchester City - who were ready to offer striker Edin Dzeko in part exchange - to get the best deal possible from the Spanish giants.

On Tuesday, after Cavani spoke warmly about the prospect of life at the Bernabeu, it emerged Real would be prepared to offer German midfielder Sami Khedira - another potential Chelsea target - and Spain Under-21 striker Alvaro Morata as part of a package deal.

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Cavani, currently on Confederations Cup duty in Brazil, said: “Real Madrid is a great team. To play for them is the dream of every child.

“So far, however, officially, nobody has spoke directly with me to make me an offer.

“At this stage, I am not thinking about my future. I am a Napoli player for now, and I am focused on the Confederations Cup.

“It’s not up to me what the clubs decide, there are other factors to consider.”

Unless the summit talks find a breakthrough Chelsea may have to look elsewhere, with Torres’ declarations from Brazil adding to the intrigue.

Now Torres has upped the ante, by making it clear Mourinho will be the one responsible if he does not start next season wearing a Chelsea shirt.

While new Napoli boss Rafa Benitez - who got more of a tune out of Torres than his first three Chelsea managers managed - has so far resisted a part-exchange deal that would see him reunited with his former Liverpool charge, the Spaniard could still be used as bait to land Cavani.

Torres said: “I am used to the rumours. It is normal, every summer, and something we have to live through, about new coaches, new players.

“Until the end of the Confederations Cup, I am not even going to think about that. My head is here with the national team.

“Chelsea is the club where I am and where I want to be. I want to win titles here.

“Mourinho is a very demanding coach, but that guarantees success, as it always has. I have the confidence that he has something prepared for me.

“But ultimately, the only thing you can play is a place where they want you and want you to work.

“What I can say is that I am aware that Chelsea expected much more from me. I expected more from me.”